South Asian Journal of Agriculture

Growth performance of cleft grafted velvet apple (Diospyros discolor Willd.)

Mahbub Robbani, Chitta Ranjan Sarker — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Velvet apple is usually propagated through seeds but seeded plants do not maintain its true-to-type quality. The present work was undertaken to study the fate of cleft grafting of five selected velvet apple genotypes during 2018 - 2019 at the Germplasm Center, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. The pot experiment was conducted in RCBD with two factors as scions and Days after Grafting (DAG) consisting of 10 replications of the scions. Scions from five promising mother plants were considered as treatments (Dumki-Dd-S1, Dumki-Dd-S2, Dumki-Dd-S3, Dumki-Dd-S4 and Mirzaganj-Dd-S5) and were cleft grafted on seedling rootstock of Dumki-Dd-R1. At 84 DAG, significant differences were observed among the scion treatments regarding the studied growth parameters. The days required to bud break varied significantly which ranged from 14 days (Dumki-Dd-S4) to 18 days (Mirzagonj-Dd-S5). The maximum length (54.30 cm) and diameter (2.00 cm) of rootstock were recorded in Mirzagonj-Dd-S5 at 84 DAG. However, maximum scion length (22.20 cm) and scion diameter (0.70 cm) were noted in Dumki-Dd-S1at 84DAG. The highest graft heights of Dumki-Dd-S2 (71.20 cm) and Mirzaganj-Dd-S5(71.50 cm) were statistically similar at84 DAG. Graft success was highest in Mirzagonj-Dd-S5(60.00%) followed by Dumki-Dd-S4 (40.00%) at 84 DAG. The maximum number of sprouted shoots (2.10) was counted in Dumki-Dd-S1, however, the highest length and diameter of sprouted shoot (7.1 cm and 0.66 cm, respectively) and maximum number of leaf (7.40 per graft) were found in Mirzaganj-Dd-S5during the study period. It could be concluded that, Mirzaganj-Dd-S5 and Dumki-Dd-R1showed the best stionic relationship for multiplication of velvet apple by cleft grafting.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 1-10

Factors Influencing Smokeless Tobacco Use in Rural Communities of Bangladesh

Umme Hamida Arifin, Quazi Zahangir Hossain, Qazi Azad uz Zaman — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Smokeless tobacco, SLT is a tobacco product used for chewing, sniffing, placing between teeth and gum. The situation and tradition of SLT use, influential personal and socio-cultural factors and awareness about harmful effect were observed from 552 SLT users using a semi-structured questionnaire for comparative analysis. Rural communities were selected in 2-districts where tobacco is cultivated traditionally (Kushtia) and tobacco is not cultivated (Khulna). Respondents’ mean age was 48.6±14.4 and about half without any formal education. Most of the respondents (92%) use SLT daily and among them three-fourths were the user of zarda followed by gul and sadapata. More number of respondents in Khulna use gul (27.9%) than Kushtia (20.7%), reversely sadapata is used more in Kushtia (22.1%) compared to Khulna (11.9%). Almost half of the respondent’s (45.7%) parents and wives (41.7% and 32.6% respectively) were more likely to use SLT in Kushtia (37.0%) than in Khulna (30.0%). Only 13.0% of the respondents were influenced to intake SLT by their family members. The reasons behind consuming SLT as mentioned by the respondents in Khulna are to reduce depression (32.7%), remove mouth odor (27.7%) and control vomiting (19.8%). Irrespective of the locations, almost half of the respondents (47.3%) were influenced by social factors such as peer group (79.3%) and gossiping partners (64.4%). It was also noted that, 95.8% of the respondents offer SLT to the guests during the wedding ceremony. A good portion of the respondents (84.6%) believe that SLT has harmful effects as they got such information from product cover (31.7%), medical professionals (23.6%) and television (14.1%). About 40% of the respondents believe that cancer may be caused by regular consumption of SLT, though yet they use SLT for the remedy from toothache and gum pain (31.9%), on peer pressure (28.6%) and for amusement only (10.1%). It could be concluded that, the use of SLT in the study areas is at an alarming level which should be noticed by the concerned authority to control the promotional activities and to imposing restrictions on the availability of SLT as traditional items.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 11-21

Growth Performance of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) treated with biochar under cadmium Stress

Muhammad Abdus Sobahan — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal that adversely affects plant growth. Biochar is predicted to facilitate plant growth. Under cadmium stress condition the effects of biochar on Soybean seedling growth, biomass production and SPAD value were poorly understood. In the current pot study Soybean was grown under different biochar and Cd combinations: 0% biochar and no Cd (control), 1.5% biochar, Cd (100 mg kg^-1 of soil), Cd (100 mg kg^-1of soil) + 1.5% biochar. The results exhibited that under Cd stress shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), whole plant biomass, stress tolerance index (%) and SPAD value decreased in Soybean, while root and shoot length ratio increased in comparison to control. Application of biochar solely or in addition of Cd enhanced SFW (14.07% with solely and 126.44% with Cd); RFW, SDW, RDW, SL and RL (156.66%, 55.89%, 61.29%, 21.14% and 16.62% with Cd, respectively), whole plant biomass (8.41% with sole biochar and 137.77% with Cd) and SPAD value (34.94% with Cd) in Cd-stressed Soybean. The sole application of biochar or Cd increased stress tolerance index (%) (SFSTI, RFSTI, SDSTI, RDSTI, SLSTI and RLSTIas recorded 114.04%, 92.25%, 104.47%, 105.78%, 100.73% and 99.22%, respectively; SFSTI, RFSTI, SDSTI, RDSTI, SLSTI and RLSTIvalue by 125.90%, 156.67%, 55.79%, 61.31%, 30.16% and 16.62% with Cd, respectively) in Cd-stressed Soybean. These results demonstrate that soil amendment with 1.5% biocharenhanced growth, biomass production and SPAD value of Soybean under Cd stress. It is therefore recommended that biochar can be used as effective tool to mitigate the detrimental effect of Cd stress on Soybean seedlings.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 22-30

Evaluation of Nutritional Composition of Small Ruminants’ Feed stuffs widely grown in Khulna Region of Bangladesh

Sazia Parvin Rumpa, Sarder Safiqul Islam, Md Shafiqul Islam, Minhazul Abedin Sun — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Feed stuffs availability is one of the extreme obstacles to small ruminant production, particularly during the dry season. In Khulna region, there are several feed stuffs, fodders, grasses and weeds, but their potential has not yet been completely realized due to a lack of understanding of their nutritional value. Therefore, the research was carried out to determine the nutritional value of available feed stuffs for small ruminants in the Khulna region. Roughage and concentrate samples were collected from different areas of Khulna region. All of the samples were taken in triplicates and analyzed accordingly. The results revealed that among the grass species, the Gitlacontains the highestamount of DM content (39.74%)and lowest in Kalmilata (13.90%). The crude protein contents in grass species ranged from 6.5% to 25.65% being highest in Helencha and lowest in Para. Highest EE content was found in German lata (7.05%), followed by Kakpaya (6.72%). The CF content varied between 9.39% in Chanchito 40.05%in Para. Kakpayacontains the highest ash (17.45%), while Pakchong the lowest (8.68%).Mustard oil cake containsthe highestamount of DM (94.77%) among the concentrates, whereas red wheat contains the lowest (89.85%). Crude protein (CP) contents of concentrate feed stuffs ranged from 5.35% in gram bran to 50.75% in soybean meal. Rice polish (21.12%) showed the highest EE concentration and it was lowest in motor bran (2.50%). The maximum concentration of CF was found in Khesari bran (27.17%), while the lowest was in maize (1.82%). It could be concluded that evaluated concentrate feeds and grass species could serve as prospective livestock feeds in southwest Bangladesh.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 31-38

Achievement of livelihood aspirations of women farmers through participation in government extension services

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Participation in government extension programs can help women farmers to achieve their livelihood aspirations. The study aimed to determine the achievement of women farmers' livelihood aspirations, find its relationships with their selected characteristics, and identify the problems they faced in achieving livelihood aspirations and their potential solutions. Data were collected from 115 randomly selected respondents out of the population of 1148 from Phulbari Upazila of Dinajpur district using a pre-tested interview schedule from 15 February to 25 March 2019. A four-point rating scale measured the achievement of livelihood aspirations of the women farmers along with 30 activities covering five dimensions. The mean achievement of livelihood aspirations score was 43.74, with a standard deviation of 10.76. The achievement of livelihood aspirations was maximum for household food security and minimum for access to market opportunity. The majority of the women farmers (80.9%) belong to the medium status of livelihood aspirations, while only 10.4 % and 8.7% achieved low and high livelihood aspirations, respectively. Six out of eleven selected characteristics of the women farmers, such as educational qualification, farm size, organizational participation, use of information sources, agricultural knowledge, and attitude towards agricultural activities, showed significant positive relationships with their achievement of livelihood aspirations. The most reported problem faced by women farmers in achieving livelihood aspirations through agricultural activities is the “lack of quality seeds and seedlings”. Similarly, their top-ranked suggestion was to assure the quality and availability of seeds and seedlings as and when required at a reasonable price from government organizations. The agricultural extension programs should be designed with a gender-inclusive approach and take into account the specific needs and problems faced by women farmers to achieve their livelihood aspirations.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 39-51

Farmer Insights Regarding Zero Tillage Systems Against Weeds in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A large amount of literature has now proven that Zero Tillage (ZT) as a part of Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification (CASI) practices has the potential to help smallholder farmers in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia transition to more productive, profitable, and sustainable production systems. Despite this, changes in weed management under ZT are commonly identified as a constraint to wider adoption, based primarily on quantitative investigations. Yet the contribution of this to farmers’ evaluation and adoption behaviour remains underexplored. To address this issue, we explore farmers’ perceptions of CASI-based herbicide weed management systems using semi-structured interviews from six locations across the EGP. This study identifies a divergence in experiences with herbicides, both geographically (with Sunsari and Bihar more negative than other locations) and in terms of user typologies (where users are overwhelmingly positive, and non-users are overwhelmingly negative). This divergence suggests that an information void exists that has the potential to contribute strongly to the negative evaluation of CASI, as well as potentially negative changes in household labour dynamics. To overcome this, promotional efforts should target education and training programs that address how to effectively spray, potentially with increased emphasis on use of weather forecasting. This would ensure equitable outcomes for household members, and increased interest and use of CASI could be promoted.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 52-63

Impact of Biochar on Yield and Nutrient Conservation in the Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Field in Non-Saline Tidal Ecosystem

Nowrose Jahan Lipi, Muhammad Maniruzzaman — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Biochar is an organic amendment produced by pyrolysis used in soil to conserve soil nutrients. Research work was conducted to observe the effect of biochar on yield and nutrient conservation ability in non-saline land of southern Bangladesh. The research comprised four different soil treatments as 0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha^-1biochar along with recommended doses of fertilizers. Biochar @ 20 t ha^-1 with a combination of fertilizers showed the maximum yield (3.37 t ha^-1). The highest amounts of K, Na, Ca, Mg, S, and P were obtained from biochar-treated plots of 20 t ha^-1. The control plots showed the lowest yield and the lowest amount of K, Na, Ca, Mg, S and P. Biochar @ 20 t ha^-1 with a combination of fertilizers could be recommended for higher yield and nutrient conservation in the southern non-saline area of Bangladesh.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 64-71

Groundwater Quality for Irrigation, Drinking, and Livestock Consumption in Gournadi Upazila, Barishal, Bangladesh

Muhammad Maniruzzaman, Esrat Jahan Munni, Nowrose Jahan Lipi, A K M Faruk Azam — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Bangladesh is a riverine country. There is plenty of surface water, but people cannot use it for all purposes. Most people use groundwater every day for various purposes. A research work was conducted to observe the quality of groundwater of Gournadi upazila of Barishal District for irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from different locations in Gournadi and the pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, K, Na, S, and P were analyzed in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. The water pH (6.70-8.28) indicated that groundwater samples were neutral to alkaline in nature and they are suitable for irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption purposes. Based on EC values (0.188- 0.815 mS cm^-1), all the samples were found non-saline and suitable for all purposes. The TDS values in groundwater samples collected from Gournadi upazila ranged from 28.8 to 721.6 mgL^-1which is under the permissible limit for using in the said purposes. The concentration of Ca, Mg, Na, P, S, and K ions ranged from 3.17-7.67, 2.07-8.77, 6.20-14.65, 0.064-0.80, 3.76-13.81, and 3.34-9.47 mgL^-1, respectively. On the basis of Ca, Mg, Na, P, S, and K concentrations all the groundwater samples were rated suitable for irrigation, drinking, and livestock consumption and could be recommended for these purposes.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 72-79

Evaluation of growth and yield performance of year round watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Mohammad Tojammel Haq, Md Shamim Ahmed — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

An experiment was conducted during July 2021 at Bangabandhu Academy for Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development (BAPARD) agricultural farm to evaluate growth and yield performance of four year round watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) viz. Golden Crown, Black Boss, Sweet Black and Karishma. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Data were collected on selected growth and yield attributes. Days to first male and female flowering and ratio of male and female flower were almost similar for all varieties. The highest number of male and female flower was recorded in Golden Crown 50.0 and 12.67, respectively. As a result, the maximum number of fruit setting (6.08) was found in Golden Crown and the minimum in Sweet Black (2.92). The length of fruit was ranged from 17.42- 21.43cm. The maximum diameter of fruit was found in Golden Crown (13.68cm) and the minimum in Black Boss (10.6cm). The weight of individual fruit was observed from 2.34 kg to 2.95 kg which was statistically identical among the varieties. The maximum yield per plant was in Golden Crown (17.73 kg) due to highest number of fruit setting. Finally, it might be concluded that the growth and yield performance of Golden Crown were better in compare to other tested varieties.

South Asian J. Agric., Vol. 9, No.1&2, 2022-‘23: 80-85